Glenn Gray Life and Legacy
Glenn was born September 6, 1956, the second of three siblings. Sports was a big focus for the Gray family. As a boy Glenn showed athletic aptitude but his real passion was music. Glenn was inspired by the music of Little Richard, Chuck Berry and the Beatles as well as other great rock bands of the 1960’s. Glenn followed his passion. He got his first electric guitar and amp in 1969 from Lillo’s Music when he was 12 years old. His first instructor was Wayne Alford who was an accomplished rock guitar player in Edmonton. By the time Glenn was 16, he was teaching guitar at Lillo’s Music. Glenn was playing professionally in the local bars and clubs at that time with his good friend Mike Demers.
Glenn continued his music studies on guitar and bass at Grant McEwan College receiving a diploma in music. Glenn studied more instruments when he attended the University of Alberta. He graduated with a double major in music education and English. He also received a BA in Harmony and Theory. In 1990, Glenn studied guitar at the world renowned Musicians Institute (GIT) and graduated with honours as one of the top seven students in the school that year.
Glenn played professionally for over 50 years in a variety of bands. In his early years he focused on rock, rock and roll, progressive rock and blues music. He played with several bands performing original music as well as cover music at a variety of clubs and venues. Glenn later became an accomplished country guitar player. He toured with many groups throughout western Canada, the Northwest Territories and the United States. In 2012, Glenn started performing as a solo artist focusing on fingerstyle guitar. Glenn called his music “Rag and Roll” as it combined elements of rock and roll, country, ragtime and folk. He also played and recorded with gospel groups. Glenn played many other styles of guitar as well which included jazz, classic rock and bluegrass. Several videos of Glenn’s performances can be seen on this website and on Glenn’s YouTube channel. Glenn recorded several albums which are available here through this website or streaming services.
Glenn shared his great talent through teaching. He was an instructor at Lillo’s Music over 50 years. He taught guitar, bass as well as a variety of other instruments, theory, harmony and ensemble classes. Glenn also taught music for the public school board for Edmonton, Sherwood Park, Siksika and for Continuing Education. Several of Glenn’s students went on to have successful careers in music performance and music education.
Glenn was a scholar – he had a keen interest in philosophy, religion and history. He started writing books in 2018 and published seven books on a variety of topics which included the Bible & Religion, English Expressions and Gray’s Handbook of Harmony. These books are available for sale here on the website, Lillo’s Music and Indigo.ca
Glenn met the love of his life, Corinne Lillo when he was hired to record at the Lillo’s Studios in 1977. Their bond grew as they continued recording and playing music together. They shared a life of love and music for 47 years. Read Corinne’s eulogy for Glenn with more details and pictures of Glenn’s life. Go to the music and performances tabs to learn more of Glenn’s life in music.
